The Mind of the Married Man

The Mind of the Married Man
Format	Comedy Drama
Created by	Mike Binder
Starring	Mike Binder Sonya Walger Jake Weber Ivana Miličević
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	20
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	HBO
Original run	September 23, 2001 – November 17, 2002
External links
Website

The Mind of the Married Man is a television series that ran on the HBO network for two seasons consisting of twenty episodes between September 2001 and November 2002. The story attempts to focus on the challenges of modern-day married life from a male perspective.

The show drew mixed reviews from critics, but was popular with a loyal audience. After creator/star Mike Binder went on to find success with the 2005 theatrical film The Upside of Anger there was talk of bringing back a third season which Binder had already written. The third season never materialized and as yet only the first season has been released on DVD.

The theme song was the title song of the musical I Love My Wife (1977), written by Cy Coleman and Michael Stewart.

Cast

• Mike Binder - Micky Barnes
• Sonya Walger - Donna Barnes
• Ivana Milicevic - Missy
• Jake Weber - Jake Berman
• M. Emmet Walsh - Randall Evans
• Taylor Nichols - Doug Nelson
• Doug Williams - Kevin
• Bobby Slayton - Slayton
• Brigitte Bako - Bianca
• Kate Walsh - Carol Nelson

Episodes

Season 1: 2001

#	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	"The Mind of the Married Man"	Mike Binder	Mike Binder	September 23, 2001 (2001-09-23)
Micky, Doug, and Jake are three married co-workers who work at a Chicago newspaper. The three discuss Micky's options as to how he should confront his wife, who had browsed his laptop computer and discovered pornographic pictures of college women. Jake suggests that Micky call Monica (a hooker who poses as Jake's computer consultant) and schedule a visit. Meanwhile, Micky needs a personal assistant, and after interviewing the candidates, he hires a woman whom he finds to be irresistibly attractive.
2	"The Secret of the Universe"	Roger Nygard	Mike Binder	September 29, 2001 (2001-09-29)
Admonished by Micky for being "cold" to Missy, Donna arrives at his office to ask her out to lunch - a decision that does not sit well with her husband. Single co-worker Kevin boasts about the plethora of "crazy" women around town; Jake gets up-close-and-personal with the paper's new entertainment reporter Ilene; and Doug shares his "secret of the universe" with Micky, offering to loan Micky and Donna some self-help "marriage tapes" that he and his wife Carol watch to keep their relationship strong.
3	"The God of Marriage"	Danny Leiner	Mike Binder	October 7, 2001 (2001-10-07)
Micky seems peeved when Donna doesn't "get" a joke he heard at the bar about oral sex and The Three Stooges - but is it just a cover for what is really upsetting him? Jake ends his office affair with Ilene, and Doug seeks to curtail his wife Carol's excessive spending. With Micky continuing to fantasize about Missy, Jake decides the best thing for his friend is a visit to the Tokyo Massage parlor for a full-body rubdown - complete with an optional "happy ending."
4	"Time on the Lake"	Danny Leiner	Mike Binder	October 14, 2001 (2001-10-14)
While Micky and Donna search for a hobby, the guys enlist Jake to find out whether a man is tired of his beautiful wife.
5	"Anywhere, Anytime"	Nancy Savoca	Gay Walch	October 21, 2001 (2001-10-21)
Donna gives Micky an "electronic tether" in the form of a pager. Meanwhile, Jake's jilted girlfriend Ilene threatens to tell his wife about his extramarital indiscretion.
6	"Wonderful News"	Bruce Paltrow	Ritch Shydner	October 28, 2001 (2001-10-28)
Could Donna be pregnant? Faced with the possibility, Micky struggles to come to grips with his feelings. Doug's visiting mother-in-law affects his sex life.
7	"Just Thinking of You"	Bob Saget	Mike Binder	November 4, 2001 (2001-11-04)
Micky and Donna embark on a kitchen/marriage remodel. Jake's call girl retires, and work forces Doug to skip Carol's birthday celebration.
8	"When We Were Nice"	Danny Leiner	Katayoun A. Marciano	November 11, 2001 (2001-11-11)
Micky accuses Donna of having an affair with their contractor. Jake suggests an exotic cure for Doug's back problem.
9	"Lay Down Dancing"	Danny Leiner	Mike Binder	November 18, 2001 (2001-11-18)
Micky crosses the line with his masseuse. Jake crosses a line with Missy.
10	"Cold Splash of Truth"	Bob Saget	Mike Binder	November 25, 2001 (2001-11-25)
Micky considers telling Donna about his extramarital excursion. Despite Doug's wishes, Carol returns to her career.

Season 2: 2002

#	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
11	"Peter Pan"	Roger Nygard	Mike Binder	September 15, 2002 (2002-09-15)
Micky, racked with guilt over his extramarital excursion, is dead set on making things right as the "New Micky." Meanwhile, Donna is gung-ho about Bobby attending a posh pre-school, in the process scheduling a play-date for a less-than-enthused Micky.
12	"The Cream of the Crop"	Bruce Paltrow	Mike Binder	September 22, 2002 (2002-09-22)
Micky has a problem programming his TiVo, and wonders if it's a metaphor for his relationship with his mind. Meanwhile, Donna considers her role as a parent, and Jake leads Micky to a startling discovery about pre-school.
13	"The Plan"	Danny Leiner	Mike Binder	September 29, 2002 (2002-09-29)
During a night out at the movies, Donna is inspired to rethink her career, causing her and Micky to discuss her shift from "full-time writer" to "full-time mother." Meanwhile, Jake continues his dogged pursuit of Missy, and Randall teaches the youngsters a thing or two about cards.
14	"Full-Time Mom"	Roger Nygard	Mike Binder	October 6, 2002 (2002-10-06)
Donna decides the family needs to start attending church; Jake is nearly caught with Missy; and Micky reacquaints himself with a face from the past.
15	"20/20"	Neal Israel	Bruce Kirschbaum	October 13, 2002 (2002-10-13)
The anniversary party of Doug's parents causes everyone to evaluate their relationships with their own parents; Doug buys Carol a mysterious brand of coffee; and Micky has an eye exam with a beautiful optometrist.
16	"The Perfect Babysitter"	Danny Leiner	Tom Leopold	October 20, 2002 (2002-10-20)
Micky reluctantly agrees to begin therapy; the Nelsons debate whether to buy a new car or remodel their kitchen; and Jake continues his pursuit of Missy.
17	"The Corvette"	Neal Israel	Ritch Shydner and Leah Krinsky Atkins	October 27, 2002 (2002-10-27)
Micky thinks a new baby will remedy their marital problems, but Donna has her own solution; against Carol's wishes, Doug buys a Corvette; and Bianca (Brigitte Bako) suspects something between Jake and Missy.
18	"When We Were Nice"	Danny Leiner	Katayoun A. Marciano	November 3, 2002 (2002-11-03)
Micky plans a surprise party for Randall to get back in his good graces, but finds himself distracted by a new dilemma at home.
19	"The Pony Ride"	Stephen Herek	Mike Binder	November 10, 2002 (2002-11-10)
Micky plans a surprise party for Randall to get back in his good graces, but finds himself distracted by a new dilemma at home.
20	"Never Stop"	Mike Binder	Kevin Garnett and Lee Eisenberg	November 17, 2002 (2002-11-17)
Micky suggests couple's therapy in order to draw Donna back into the relationship; after a few nights on Slayton's (Bobby Slayton) couch, Jake tries to talk his way back into Bianca's life.

External links

• The Mind of the Married Man at the Internet Movie Database
• The Mind of the Married Man at epguides.com
• The Mind of the Married Man at TV.com